Shloka 8
Skanda–Svāhā-saṃvāda; Gaṇa-vyutpatti and Śvetaparvata-vaibhava
Chapter 220
भरतो भरतस्याग्ने: पावकस्तु प्रजापते: । महानत्यर्थमहितस्तथा भरतसत्तम,सबका भरण-पोषण करनेवाले प्रजापति भरत नामक अग्निसे “पावक' की उत्पत्ति हुई। भरतश्रेष्ठ) वह अत्यन्त महनीय (पूज्य) होनेके कारण “महान” कहा गया है
bharato bharatasyāgneḥ pāvakastu prajāpateḥ | mahān atyarthamahitastathā bharatasattama ||
Mārkaṇḍeya said: “From the fire named Bharata—belonging to Bharata—there arose Pāvaka, the Fire-god associated with Prajāpati. And because he is exceedingly revered and worthy of worship, he is also called ‘Mahān’ (the Great).”
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Honorific names are not arbitrary: they reflect lineage and recognized qualities. Here, ‘Pāvaka’ signals Agni’s purifying function, while ‘Mahān’ is grounded in exceptional reverence earned through greatness and beneficence.
Mārkaṇḍeya explains a genealogical/etymological point about Agni: from a fire associated with Bharata arises Pāvaka, linked with Prajāpati, and Agni is also called ‘Mahān’ because he is supremely honored.